Samuel Wong, AB 1984 MD 1988

At Harvard, I was blessed with the tremendous opportunity to conduct the Bach Society Orchestra (1982-84) and direct the Din & Tonics (1982-3).

In New York City, I was able to pursue both medicine (residency in ophthalmology) and music (conducting the New York  Philharmonic and the New York Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall)... until two roads diverged. I had two mentors whose lessons still resonate in my ears -- Professor of Surgery, Richard E. Wilson, and Music Director of New York Philharmonic in the 1990’s, Kurt Masur. After a chief resident complained about “minor surgeries,” Wilson stormed: “there are no minor surgeries, only minor surgeons!”  We met at 6 am sharp every morning at the Brigham and many life-changing lessons were learned on these storied rounds. He became dizzy in the OR one day, unaware of the big tumor growing in his brain. He was gone within days. He taught us about resilience and the human spirit as well as the fragility of life. Masur always advised us: “you make false friends and true enemies in our profession.” He was passionate and focused on his Art, losing himself in fiery performances, unafraid of political battles, and wise as a serpent.

There was no time to be scared when I was asked to step in for giants like Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta.

My first replacement was Yoel Levi, who was snarled in legendary New York traffic.  My second replacement was Bernstein, who died too young at age 72. My third replacement was Mehta, who sided with Israel during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. My fourth replacement was Franz Welser-Moest, who injured his back. The sympathetic system and adrenaline rush often saved me.

Samuel Wong with daughter, Ariana Wong, on Tibet Eye Surgery Mission

I turned to ophthalmology because I can help dramatically, with immediate effect. The eyes are the only places in the human body you can look directly at a live nerve and a pulsating artery.  They are windows to many systemic illnesses: diabetes, hypertension, lupus, syphilis, HIV.  With lasers and injections, we are able to alleviate many problems.

Samuel Wong on Anman Jordan Mission with Iraqi Refugee

Music and Medicine share so many parallels.

My father quipped: “now your MD stands for Music Director!”. We gown and glove and prep in an operating theater as surgeons, with theater lights to focus, while we perform surgery. We gown and prep in our dressing room and conduct in the theater with bright lights for our musical performances.

Yo Yo Ma AB ‘1976, Wu Man, and Samuel Wong

The surgical dissection of the human body and the anatomical study of organs, muscles, bones, cells, molecules, correspond to the Schenkerian analysis of a symphony, revealing the internal coherence of a work.  In both fields:  practice. Practice. Practice. Whether in surgery or musical performance, it is the disciplined artist who perseveres, through mistakes, inefficiencies, experiments -- turning weakness into strength -- who ultimately inherits the stage.

Samuel Wong MD

AB 1984 | Applied Mathematics

MD 1988

Ophthalmologist and Conductor

Compiled and Interviewed by Felicia Ho